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First in the Dick and Jane occasional collection. The stories are fiction but I hope reflect some universal truth. Best read in sequence. All characters over 18.
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John, Jane and someoneāsomeone with a mind of his own, a head on his shoulders, an eye on the prize, and a single minded purposeāall in all a good team member.
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"Are you ready, Jane? Done your teeth? In bed?", John calls out above me. I feel the vibration of his deep voice, transmitted through his body bulk.
We listen for the answer. He moves, shifting me to the side. I'm waking.
"Yes, Daddy. I'm ready."
John turns in his seat. Tucked comfortably against him, I turn with him. He lays down the magazine, careful to preserve his place. Adjusts his dressing gown. Gives me a pat of endearing encouragement as we stand. We're a team, John and me. For decades now. We know how each other thinks.
"Coming. Shall I bring you some water? You always get thirsty."
His deep voice vibrates again. Pressed as I am against his muscular solidness, I feel the tremors like a firm massage.
"Yes, please."
I'm still relaxed but starting to perk up. I go with John as he gets a glass and fills it, then affectionately drapes his other hand around my shoulder and gives me a squeeze.
"Come on boy," he says quietly, "up you come." I feel myself swell with pride. Teamwork.
As we enter her bedroom we are both entranced. We never get tired of this time, her bedtime, our special time. There's a firmness in our step, erectness in our posture. Despite his 250 pounds John's stands tall and moves with an easy stride to Jane's bedside. He puts the glass on her bedside tableānext to our framed portrait from the Daddy-Daughter Danceāready for later. He sits on her bed and comfortably adjusts his dressing gown. I've come in too, relaxed and casual but alert, swinging in easy synchronicity with his step. Teamwork.
John sits beside Jane, his hand on her leg below the sheet ruffled around her waist, He smiles at her, a paternal smile, a proud smile, she is such a good girl. I watch her also my with one eye, peering through the front gap. She is an alluring lass, and smells just lovely. I've gotten to know her quite well and really like her. John and I both appreciate her scent, which has long been particularly pungent when we come to say goodnight. In fact it is exciting me now, and, upright, I emerge from my nest to stare.
"Hello Daddy," she purrs, stretched on the bed beside us, her toes